alterlab-pptx-posters

PPTX Research Posters (HTML-Based)

Overview

⚠️ USE THIS SKILL ONLY WHEN USER EXPLICITLY REQUESTS PPTX/POWERPOINT POSTER FORMAT.

For standard research posters, use the latex-posters skill instead, which provides better typographic control and is the default for academic conferences.

This skill creates research posters using HTML/CSS, which can then be exported to PDF or converted to PowerPoint format. The web-based approach offers:

• Modern, responsive layouts
• Easy integration of AI-generated visuals
• Quick iteration and preview in browser
• Export to PDF via browser print function
• Conversion to PPTX if specifically needed

When to Use This Skill

ONLY use this skill when:

• User explicitly requests "PPTX poster", "PowerPoint poster", or "PPT poster"
• User specifically asks for HTML-based poster
• User needs to edit poster in PowerPoint after creation
• LaTeX is not available or user requests non-LaTeX solution

DO NOT use this skill when:

• User asks for a "poster" without specifying format → Use latex-posters
• User asks for "research poster" or "conference poster" → Use latex-posters
• User mentions LaTeX, tikzposter, beamerposter, or baposter → Use latex-posters

Visual Element Generation

If a diagram or figure would aid comprehension, invoke the alterlab-scientific-schematics skill (diagrams/schematics) or the alterlab-generate-image skill (images). Figures are optional — add them only where they improve clarity.

A practical workflow for a visual poster:

1. Plan the visual elements that would help (hero image, intro, methods, results, conclusions)
2. Generate any needed figures via the skills above
3. Assemble the figures in the HTML template
4. Add text content around the visuals

Posters generally read best when visuals carry much of the message and text stays concise.

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Poster-Size Font Requirements

Text within poster visualizations needs to be poster-readable. Poster graphics are viewed from 4-6 feet away, so text must be large. When generating a figure, describe these readability constraints in the prompt:

POSTER FORMAT GUIDELINES:
- Keep to 3-4 elements per graphic (3 is ideal)
- Around 10 words total in the entire graphic
- Avoid complex workflows with 5+ steps (split into 2-3 simple graphics instead)
- Avoid multi-level nested diagrams (flatten to a single level)
- One key point per case study (not multiple sub-sections)
- Large bold text (80pt+ for labels, 120pt+ for key numbers)
- High contrast (dark on white OR white on dark; avoid gradients behind text)
- Generous white space (around 50%)
- Thick lines (5px+), large icons (200px+)
- One single message per graphic

Before generating, review the prompt and count elements:

• If the description has 5+ items, split into multiple graphics
• If the workflow has 5+ stages, show only 3-4 high-level steps
• If the comparison has 4+ methods, show only the top 3 or Ours vs Best Baseline

Example — too dense (7-stage workflow): "Drug discovery workflow: Target ID, Synthesis, Screening, Lead Opt, Validation, Clinical Trial, FDA Approval with metrics" — this crams in too many stages and renders as tiny, unreadable text.

Example — readable (3 mega-stages): "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Ultra-simple 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' → 'VALIDATE' → 'APPROVE'. Each word in giant bold (120pt+). Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. Only these 3 words, no substeps. Readable from 12 feet." — same content, simplified to a readable poster format.

If a diagram or figure would aid comprehension, invoke the alterlab-scientific-schematics skill (diagrams/schematics) or the alterlab-generate-image skill (images). Figures are optional — add them only where they improve clarity.

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CRITICAL: Preventing Content Overflow

⚠️ POSTERS MUST NOT HAVE TEXT OR CONTENT CUT OFF AT EDGES.

Prevention Rules:

1. Limit Content Sections (MAXIMUM 5-6 sections):

✅ GOOD - 5 sections with room to breathe:
   - Title/Header
   - Introduction/Problem
   - Methods
   - Results (1-2 key findings)
   - Conclusions

❌ BAD - 8+ sections crammed together

2. Word Count Limits:

• Per section: 50-100 words maximum
• Total poster: 300-800 words MAXIMUM
• If you have more content: Cut it or make a handout

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Core Capabilities

1. HTML/CSS Poster Design

The HTML template (assets/poster_html_template.html) provides:

• Fixed poster dimensions (36×48 inches = 2592×3456 pt)
• Professional header with gradient styling
• Three-column content layout
• Block-based sections with modern styling
• Footer with references and contact info

2. Poster Structure

Standard Layout:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  HEADER: Title, Authors, Hero Image     │
├─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┤
│ Introduction│   Results   │  Discussion │
│             │             │             │
│   Methods   │   (charts)  │ Conclusions │
│             │             │             │
│  (diagram)  │   (data)    │   (summary) │
├─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┤
│  FOOTER: References & Contact Info      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

3. Visual Integration

Each section should prominently feature AI-generated visuals:

Hero Image (Header):

<img src="figures/hero.png" class="hero-image">

Section Graphics:

<div class="block">
  <h2 class="block-title">Methods</h2>
  <div class="block-content">
    <img src="figures/workflow.png" class="block-image">
    <ul>
      <li>Brief methodology point</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

4. Generating Visual Elements

If a diagram or figure would aid comprehension, invoke the alterlab-scientific-schematics skill (diagrams/schematics) or the alterlab-generate-image skill (images). Figures are optional — add them only where they improve clarity.

Example prompts that keep poster graphics simple and readable (save into a figures/ directory):

• Hero image — "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Hero banner: '[TOPIC]' in huge text (120pt+). Dark blue gradient background. One iconic visual. Minimal text. Readable from 15 feet."
• Introduction visual — "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Simple visual with only 3 icons: [icon1] → [icon2] → [icon3]. One-word labels (80pt+). 50% white space. Readable from 8 feet."
• Methods flowchart — "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Simple flowchart with only 4 boxes: STEP1 → STEP2 → STEP3 → STEP4. Giant labels (100pt+). Thick arrows. 50% white space. No sub-steps."
• Results visualization — "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Simple bar chart with only 3 bars: BASELINE (70%), EXISTING (85%), OURS (95%). Giant percentages on bars (120pt+). No axis, no legend. 50% white space."
• Conclusions — "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Exactly 3 cards: '95%' (150pt) 'ACCURACY' (60pt), '2X' (150pt) 'FASTER' (60pt), checkmark 'READY' (60pt). 50% white space. No other text."

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Workflow for PPTX Poster Creation

Stage 1: Planning

1. Confirm PPTX is explicitly requested
2. Determine poster requirements:
   • Size: 36×48 inches (most common) or A0
   • Orientation: Portrait (most common)
3. Develop content outline:
   • Identify 1-3 core messages
   • Plan 3-5 visual elements
   • Draft minimal text (300-800 words total)

Stage 2: Generate Visual Elements (AI-Powered)

CRITICAL: Generate SIMPLE figures with MINIMAL content.

mkdir -p figures

# Generate each element with POSTER FORMAT specifications
# (See examples in Section 4 above)

Stage 3: Create HTML Poster

1. Copy the template:

   cp skills/pptx-posters/assets/poster_html_template.html poster.html
   

2. Update content:

   • Replace placeholder title and authors
   • Insert AI-generated images
   • Add minimal supporting text
   • Update references and contact info

3. Preview in browser:

   open poster.html  # macOS
   # or
   xdg-open poster.html  # Linux
   

Stage 4: Export to PDF

Browser Print Method:

1. Open poster.html in Chrome or Firefox
2. Print (Cmd/Ctrl + P)
3. Select "Save as PDF"
4. Set paper size to match poster dimensions
5. Remove margins
6. Enable "Background graphics"

Command Line (if Chrome available):

# Chrome headless PDF export
google-chrome --headless --print-to-pdf=poster.pdf \
  --print-to-pdf-no-header \
  --no-margins \
  poster.html

Stage 5: Convert to PPTX (If Required)

Option 1: PDF to PPTX conversion

# Using LibreOffice
libreoffice --headless --convert-to pptx poster.pdf

# Or use online converters for simple cases

Option 2: Direct PPTX creation with python-pptx

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt

prs = Presentation()
prs.slide_width = Inches(48)
prs.slide_height = Inches(36)

slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[6])  # Blank

# Add images from figures/
slide.shapes.add_picture("figures/hero.png", Inches(0), Inches(0), width=Inches(48))
# ... add other elements

prs.save("poster.pptx")

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HTML Template Structure

The provided template (assets/poster_html_template.html) includes:

CSS Variables for Customization

/* Poster dimensions */
body {
  width: 2592pt;   /* 36 inches */
  height: 3456pt;  /* 48 inches */
}

/* Color scheme - customize these */
.header {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1a365d 0%, #2b6cb0 50%, #3182ce 100%);
}

/* Typography */
.poster-title { font-size: 108pt; }
.authors { font-size: 48pt; }
.block-title { font-size: 52pt; }
.block-content { font-size: 34pt; }

Key Classes

Class	Purpose	Font Size
.poster-title	Main title	108pt
.authors	Author names	48pt
.affiliations	Institutions	38pt
.block-title	Section headers	52pt
.block-content	Body text	34pt
.key-finding	Highlight box	36pt

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Quality Checklist

Step 0: Pre-Generation Review

For EACH planned graphic, verify:

• Can describe in 3-4 items or less? (NOT 5+)
• Is it a simple workflow (3-4 steps, NOT 7+)?
• Can describe all text in 10 words or less?
• Does it convey ONE message (not multiple)?

Reject these patterns:

• ❌ "7-stage workflow" → Simplify to "3 mega-stages"
• ❌ "Multiple case studies" → One case per graphic
• ❌ "Timeline 2015-2024 annual" → "ONLY 3 key years"
• ❌ "Compare 6 methods" → "ONLY 2: ours vs best"

Step 2b: Post-Generation Review

For EACH generated figure at 25% zoom:

✅ PASS criteria (ALL must be true):

• Can read ALL text clearly
• Count: 3-4 elements or fewer
• White space: 50%+ empty
• Understand in 2 seconds
• NOT a complex 5+ stage workflow
• NOT multiple nested sections

❌ FAIL criteria (regenerate if ANY true):

• Text small/hard to read → Regenerate with "150pt+"
• More than 4 elements → Regenerate "ONLY 3 elements"
• Less than 50% white space → Regenerate "60% white space"
• Complex multi-stage → SPLIT into 2-3 graphics
• Multiple cases cramped → SPLIT into separate graphics

After Export

• NO content cut off at ANY of the 4 edges (check carefully)
• All images display correctly
• Colors render as expected
• Text readable at 25% scale
• Graphics look SIMPLE (not like complex 7-stage workflows)

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

AI-Generated Graphics Mistakes:

• ❌ Too many elements (10+ items) → Keep to 3-5 max
• ❌ Text too small → Specify "GIANT (100pt+)" in prompts
• ❌ No white space → Add "50% white space" to every prompt
• ❌ Complex flowcharts (8+ steps) → Limit to 4-5 steps

HTML/Export Mistakes:

• ❌ Content exceeding poster dimensions → Check overflow in browser
• ❌ Missing background graphics in PDF → Enable in print settings
• ❌ Wrong paper size in PDF → Match poster dimensions exactly
• ❌ Low-resolution images → Use 300 DPI minimum

Content Mistakes:

• ❌ Too much text (over 1000 words) → Cut to 300-800 words
• ❌ Too many sections (7+) → Consolidate to 5-6
• ❌ No clear visual hierarchy → Make key findings prominent

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Integration with Other Skills

This skill works with:

• Scientific Schematics: Generate all poster diagrams and flowcharts
• Generate Image / Nano Banana Pro: Create stylized graphics and hero images
• LaTeX Posters: DEFAULT skill for poster creation (use this instead unless PPTX explicitly requested)

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Template Assets

Available in assets/ directory:

• poster_html_template.html: Main HTML poster template (36×48 inches)
• poster_quality_checklist.md: Pre-submission validation checklist

References

Available in references/ directory:

• poster_content_guide.md: Content organization and writing guidelines
• poster_design_principles.md: Typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy
• poster_layout_design.md: Layout principles and grid systems